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shesnake · 10 months

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Spider-Verse Artists Say Working on the Sequel Was ‘Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts’

Why don’t more animated movies look this good? According to people who worked on the sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, it’s because the working conditions required to produce such artistry are not sustainable.

Multiple Across the Spider-Verse crew members — ranging from artists to production executives who have worked anywhere from five to a dozen years in the animation business — describe the process of making the the $150 million Sony project as uniquely arduous, involving a relentless kind of revisionism that compelled approximately 100 artists to flee the movie before its completion.

While frequent major overhauls are standard operating procedure in animation (Pixar films can take between four and seven years to plot, animate, and render), those changes typically occur early on during development and storyboarding stages. But these Spider-Verse 2 crew members say they were asked to make alterations to already-approved animated sequences that created a backlog of work across multiple late-stage departments. Across the Spider-Verse was meant to debut in theaters in April of 2022, before it was postponed to October of that year and then June 2023 owing to what Entertainment Weekly reported as “pandemic-related delays.” However, the four crew members say animators who were hired in the spring of 2021 sat idle for anywhere from three to six months that year while Phil Lord tinkered with the movie in the layout stage, when the first 3-D representation of storyboards are created.

As a result, these individuals say, they were pushed to work more than 11 hours a day, seven days a week, for more than a year to make up for time lost and were forced back to the drawing board as many as five times to revise work during the final rendering stage.

"For animated movies, the majority of the trial-and-error process happens during writing and storyboarding. Not with fully completed animation. Phil’s mentality was, This change makes for a better movie, so why aren’t we doing it? It’s obviously been very expensive having to redo the same shot several times over and have every department touch it so many times. The changes in the writing would go through storyboarding. Then it gets to layout, then animation, then final layout, which is adjusting cameras and placements of things in the environment. Then there’s cloth and hair effects, which have to repeatedly be redone anytime there’s an animation change. The effects department also passes over the characters with ink lines and does all the crazy stuff like explosions, smoke, and water. And they work closely with lighting and compositing on all the color and visual treatments in this movie. Every pass is plugged into editing. Smaller changes tend to start with animation, and big story changes can involve more departments like visual development, modeling, rigging, and texture painting. These are a lot of artists affected by one change. Imagine an endless stream of them."

"Over 100 people left the project because they couldn’t take it anymore. But a lot stayed on just so they could make sure their work survived until the end — because if it gets changed, it’s no longer yours. I know people who were on the project for over a year who left, and now they have little to show for it because everything was changed. They went through the hell of the production and then got none of their work coming out the other side."

#across the spider verse #spider man: across the spider verse #spiderverse #spiderman #marvel #atsv #phil lord #film #animation #vfx #post production #read the whole thing pls!

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dilemmaontwolegs · 1 year

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Would you consider doing a smutty see no evil part 2. Or really just anything with these too. I’m loving the representation with the deaf reader.

Thank you so much! It would be my pleasure 💗

See No Evil, Hear No Evil {2}

Aemond Targaryen x deaf!fem!reader

Summary: It is your wedding night and a night of many firsts. Warnings: 18+ only, NSFW, first time sex, oral, smut, fluff WC: 3k

Part One || Part Two || Part Three ||

Imperceptible tremors shook your body as your maids left your chambers and you had the first moment to yourself all day. The dress was unlike any other you wore and you knew you would never wear one like it again, you had no intention of ever wedding another. The seamstress had outdone herself as you traced the flowers that were embroidered into the bodice at your request, violets and hyacinths for the colour of Aemond’s eye.

The polished silver mirror seemed to hold another person entirely as you stared at the reflection. She was the elegant lady you had watched enviously in grandiose gowns of vibrant colours, she was the confident courtier that men fought over, she was everything you had dreamed of as a child. You were beautiful.

Your happiness radiated from the smile that had not left your face since Aemond had proposed this marriage and Alicent had welcomed you into her family with a warm hug. Nothing could dim your smile, especially when your union would be complete at sundown in the Sept. You wished the sun would hurry its path across the sky so you could see your husband-to-be but your mother always said, good things come to those who wait.

If only your mother and father were able to make it to your wedding, but the treacherous road had been plagued by bandits and unfortunately, to the Lords at least, daughters were not worth the risk of travel.

The door opened slowly and you broke away from your reflection to see Alicent peek around the corner before her hands flew to her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes and you could see her jaw moving but you couldn’t see her lips. You pointed to your eye then your lips before shaking your head and she dropped her hands sheepishly as she realised you couldn’t see what she was saying.

“You look absolutely lovely, my dear,” she said as she clasped her hands over her heart. “There is no other better suited together than you and my Aemond. He has been a better man since he met you, a happier one too.”

She took your hands and smiled as she noticed the floral embroidery. “You compliment each other so well.”

Your smile widened as you laughed and her lips parted as a blush turned her cheeks pink. “I, I didn’t mean like that.”

You reached for a sheet of parchment that rested on the table and held it out to her, the vows you would be making in mere hours.

I shall be your eyes, and you shall be my ears. Together, we are complete.

“Oh, look what you’ve done,” she said as the tears that had been brewing began to slip over her lashes and down her heated cheeks. Placing the page back where it was, she produced a prepared handkerchief from her dress and wiped away the tears before taking a seat on the settee and patted the space next to her. “I already think of you like a daughter so if you ever need any advice, know you can always come to me.

“My mother wasn’t there on my wedding day either and it’s an ache I remember well. I wish she could have been there to tell me what I was to expect, the duties of a wife.”

Your eyebrows knitted in confusion and she took your hand. “Did your mother explain the act of consummation?”

Your mother probably worried that you would be a spinster so she had not bothered with the conversation but you had spied some stories from the servants and knew the basics. Shaking your head, Alicent nodded knowingly to herself and placed her hands on her lap.

“Well, no matter, we have time. Losing one’s maidenhead can be painful but after the first few times it gets easier.”

Your lips parted with a slow breath and your stomach felt like it tumbled deeper into your body. When the servants had spoken of their experiences most had a smile on their face and regaled the pleasures they found in the act. They had even detailed a studious link between the size of the manhood to the fun that could be had. The only ones who had mentioned pain had received the unwanted touch of a man and a bolt of fear ran down your spine.

“I’ve scared you,” Alicent said as she recoiled back. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to frighten you, I just don’t want you to find out as I did - and the shock that came with it.”

You squeezed her hand reassuringly and her shoulders sagged with relief but relief was not what you felt inside as you stared out the window and saw the sun creep towards the horizon. Something cold touched your wrist and your eyes darted back to the Queen as she offered you a silver bracelet.

“Aemond asked me to give you this,” she said as she clasped it around your wrist and you held it up to see the small sapphires that caught the light. You had never received such a special gift before and you felt the fear of the unknown slip away with the tear that ran down your cheek. “Oh, no, no more tears today.”

Alicent wiped the teardrop away, careful not to smudge the makeup that enhanced your natural features. Her gentleness warmed you and when she stood to make her way to the Sept you pulled her into a hug that showed your appreciation.

“Shall we?” she asked as she offered her elbow and you looked at the sun that still hadn’t completely set. “If I know my Aemond, he will already be there.”

The Queen knew her son well as you arrived at the Sept earlier than scheduled and found Aemond shifting nervously with his back to you. He had not been this nervous when he was facing down knights in the tourney but the tension in him released the moment he turned and saw you waiting.

Alicent took your hand that rested on her forearm and placed it into Aemond’s larger hand, warmth enveloping it as he laced your fingers together.

“You look beautiful, my love,” he said with a stunned smile as he stepped back as far as he could without releasing your hand and looked over you from head to toe. “The most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms.”

You took a step closer and lifted your hand to cradle his cheek as your thumb caressed his scar that he had not hidden, not on a day like today. He wanted you to see all of him, accept all of him, as you were wed.

Vibrations beat along the wooden floors of the Sept and you looked around to find the High Septon had arrived and butted his staff to the floor for attention. The few guests that had been invited to witness the ceremony turned to face the High Septon and you cast your eyes over them knowing they were your new family.

Helaena smiled warmly as she caught you looking and Maelor waved a chubby hand from where he bounced on her hip. You smiled back and waved to the little boy before following Aemond’s lead, standing face to face with not an ounce of doubt in your heart that this was where you were meant to be.

You had not wished for a grand feast that was common after a highborn wedding and Aemond had been more than happy to celebrate more intimately with a family dinner. King Viseyrs had stayed as long as he was able to but the illness that plagued him forced him to retire early. It had not stopped him from giving a heartfelt speech that Aemond repeated for you since the mask hid half of the King’s face.

You were well and truly a member of the Targaryen family, something that only six months earlier would have terrified you.

“A toast to my lady wife,” Aemond said, rising to his feet and lifting his goblet as he looked around the table. “I thought the only thing I was missing was an eye, until I met you.”

Alicent wiped her eyes with a laugh and raised her goblet before everyone else followed suit. You sipped your wine and wondered if the sudden warmth in your belly was from the potation or the love when you looked at your husband. Your stare lingered on him over the rim of the silver chalice and the bodice of the gown was too tight to breathe as he returned the longing look.

“Ready to retire, my love?” he asked as his eye focused on the way you bit your lip in anticipation and you nodded eagerly, accepting his hand as he pulled your chair out.

Aegon grinned at Aemond as he bid his family a good night but you pointedly ignored how he mouthed ‘have fun’ to his little brother before you were turned away to face the door. The corridors had never felt so long as you headed towards the wing that the royals occupied, where your new rooms would be from this night forth.

“Would you like a drink?” Aemond asked as he closed the heavy wooden door to his quarters.

You shrugged unsure as you looked around the room that you had not been permitted to enter before your union. Books were stacked on every available surface while weapons hung from hooks along the walls and a comfortable looking settee faced the smouldering fire. Everywhere you looked you saw an extension of Aemond and his scent hung in the air, welcoming you home.

Strong arms curled around your waist and Aemond rested his chin on your shoulder as he kissed your neck sweetly before turning you to face him. “My mother said she spoke to you and I want you to know that I have no expectations for how this night will go.”

Your eyebrows pinched together and a pang of hurt sent you a step backwards before he caught you. “What I mean is, there is no rush, I want you to be comfortable and ready for when we take that step.”

You didn’t think you could possibly love him anymore than you already did but he continued to surprise you, and you surprised him as you threw your arms around his neck and crushed your lips to his. His hands caught your waist and pulled you flush against him as he deepened the kiss and you melted in his embrace.

Your courage renewed, you took his hand and walked further into his chambers, towards the four post bed. You could see the question in his eye and you nodded with a shy smile as you looked up from under your lashes. You dropped his hand so you could sign the honest truth to him, I trust you.

With such sweet tenderness he claimed your neck with his lips while his fingers unlaced the gown, letting it fall from your shoulders to pool at your feet. The thin silk shift left little to the imagination and his eye widened as you were revealed like a precious gift to him.

“My beautiful wife,” Aemond said with a proud smile that sent your heart hammering wildly. “I want to feel your hands on me.”

Your fingers trembled as you reached for the clasps that kept his tunic fitted tight across his body, you didn’t want to mess up but from the flutter of his eye you knew he was enjoying the feel of each restricting fastener opening. Pale flesh was stark against the black leather that you pushed over his shoulders and his chest vibrated with a satisfied hum as you placed your palm over his heart.

“You will be the death of me.”

Your lips curled with a shake of your head and you let your finger trail along the natural dips of his muscles and through the soft blonde curls that began at his navel.

“Perhaps I am already dead, for nothing should feel this glorious.”

His words were liquid fire across your skin and a throb between your legs pulsed in time to your heartbeat. Needing to feel his hands on more of you, you curled your thumbs into the thin straps at your shoulders and pushed them off, letting the shift float to the floor.

Cool air kissed your skin as you fought the urge to curl your arms over yourself but there would be no hiding tonight. Aemond’s chest expanded rapidly as he bit his lip at the sight and your back arched into his touch when he grazed his knuckles over your pebbled nipples.

Your lips parted in delight and he froze.

“Oh gods, how sweet you sound,” he said before dipping his head to your breasts that grew more sensitive with each passing moment. Your head tipped back as you buried your fingers in his hair and the throb between your legs turned to an ache.

Aemond’s tongue teased your nipples until you saw stars and you hadn’t realised he had been guiding you back until your legs hit the bed. He pulled away with a salacious suck that had your jaw dropping and he grinned as he gently laid you down on his mattress.

“I could listen to you moan for eternity and it still would not be long enough.”

Your fingers curled into the blankets beside you as he settled on his knees between your legs that subconsciously tried to close under the intensity of his heated stare.

“Is this alright?” he asked as his thumbs drew small circles along your inner thigh.

You took a deep breath and let yourself relax before nodding. His touch teased higher and you could barely breathe when his thumbs parted your folds and he dipped his head for a wicked kiss. The air rushed out of you as the heat of his tongue lashed through your slit and your knees closed around his shoulders with the pleasure that erupted.

You pushed up on your elbows to see what he was doing to you and found him staring back, his sapphire eye reflecting the candlelight while his violet eye had a fire of its own. You could not look away as you watched his cheeks hollow and felt his lips seal over the spot that ached with need.

You collapsed to the bed as he sucked your swollen nub to the point of delirium and then his finger was there, pressing at your entrance and stretching you as he had started with his tongue. The coil in your belly only grew tighter as he added another finger and you could only imagine how good it would feel to be filled with his manhood. The thought alone triggered the blissful release the servants spoke of and your hips rocked shamelessly against Aemond as wave after wave crested.

Your husband placed a soft kiss to your trembling thigh before he sat up and you remembered that he was still half dressed as he palmed the strained erection confined in his trousers. I want you, you signed, all of you.

He was already unlacing the cord that held his trousers snug to his hips as he said, “You already have me.”

Nervousness chased away the haze that release had brought as his length sprung free and you gulped at the size.

“I will be gentle,” he reassured you as he kicked his trousers off the bed and settled once more between your legs, only this time his cock hung warm and heavy across your thigh. “And I can stop if it’s too much, just tap my shoulder.”

You curled your legs around his waist and your arms around his neck as you drew him closer to you, capturing his lips and conveying everything you couldn’t say. His cock teased at your entrance and he slowly rocked against you until the resistance ceased and a sharp burning sensation had your fingers clenching the strands of hair they were tangled in.

“Are you hurt?” he asked as he pulled back and scanned your face.

The small shift when he pulled back drew a different kind of sensation and the way it felt as his cock dragged along your tight walls sent a shiver down your spine. You tightened your legs and kept him from withdrawing completely as you shook your head. He stared into your eyes a moment longer, giving you the opportunity to change your mind, before he slowly eased back in and your muscle began to relax.

Aemond kept his promise to be gentle but soon enough the long slow strokes didn’t sate the need growing within you. Your nails danced down his spine and encouraged him to move faster as his kiss stole the very air from your lungs until your body burned for him. He was everywhere all at once, his arms around you, his cock in you. You would never get enough of him.

Your back arched as heat spread across your body, radiating from your core that was tightening with each thrust until you were sure you would explode. Lost in the waves of ecstasy, you buried your face in Aemond’s neck and held him tight as his body shuddered and you felt his cock pulse with his release.

A fine sheen of sweat coated your body as Aemond eased himself from you and collapsed to the mattress with a lazy smile gracing his face. You instantly missed the full feeling but he pulled you into his arms and pressed his lips to your forehead as you laid your head on his chest. He held his hand up since you couldn’t see his face and he curled his middle and ring finger down signing, I love you.

Aemond’s heart hammered beneath your head and the steady beat reverberated through you, lulling you into a sweet trance as you held your own hand up to his like a mirror. If only you could spend everyday forever entwined as you were at this moment, you both deserved the happiness that saturated the room.

Tilting your head back so you could see the love reflected in Aemond’s eye, you pressed your fingers to your chin. “You never have to thank me,” he replied. “You are my everything.”

Click here for part three.

#aemond targaryen x y/n #aemond x reader #aemond imagine #aemond x you #aemond x y/n #aemond targaryen x you #aemond targaryen smut #aemond targaryen x reader #deaf!reader #house of the dragon aemond #house of the dragon fanfic #aemond fic #aemond fluff #aemond smut #hotd fanfic

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dweemeister · 2 months

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Instant reactions to the 96th Academy Awards

A rough night for me. But there have been rougher ones before. I imagine most of my comments put me in a very lonely minority, as has been apparent the last few months.

But here goes:

For all intents and purposes, yours truly was on the Killers of the Flower Moon train. An extraordinary crime epic from Scorsese, with astounding craftsmanship and fantastic performance from Lily Gladstone. More than what I previously believed possible, a major studio production went out of its way to make sure that its Indigenous American representation on-screen was as genuine as it could possibly be (still imperfect, as the film acknowledges, but what an effort). And yet, KOTFM goes 0/10. I've never had a favored Best Picture nominee be shut out in such a way before. And I'm not surprised at all by it. It was clear that non-American and non-Canadian audiences didn't get the context to the film (a criticism I understand, given the screenplay) and, in other quarters, folks thought it was too long (I admittedly have a higher tolerance for longer movies) and others have said something akin to the fact that they are getting tired over "racial guilt" movies from America. I'm not in the mood to respond to the last one. I think it deserved better tonight. I particularly think Lily Gladstone deserved better tonight.

Stat upheld: two non-white actresses have never won on the same night in Oscar history. History, in and of itself, was always against Gladstone.

Oppenheimer winning? Fine, I guess. It was my #4 choice of the ten Best Picture nominees. I guess Christopher Nolan was overdue, but I have always been a Nolan skeptic. The film certainly is his most humanistic, and I appreciate that. As for the narrative organization and editing trickery? It mostly serves to take me out of the movie. And I don't think Nolan truly understands what thematic film music can accomplish for his movies. I think RDJ should have had much more competition all season long, but he did not. Most people are gonna say this is the return of the Academy's favorite subgenre... the Great Man Biopic. But in composition and structure, Oppenheimer (and even Maestro) resembles very little of the past Great Man Biopics. It'll be interesting to see how history treats this movie.

I disliked Poor Things. I didn't care for its sense of humor, didn't agree with many folks' opinions that it was a magnum opus of female empowerment. I thought it was incredibly male gaze-y and troublingly sanitized its scenes of sex work. Jerskin Fendrix's score was unlistenable outside the context of the film and distracting within it. But it has four Academy Awards and people love this movie, so my opinion can go to heck?

Well done Da'Vine Joy Randolph for her win as Supporting Actress for The Holdovers. I truly hope this opens up a lot more new opportunities for her going for! Wonderful speech.

And speaking of wonderful speeches, both documentary winners got me very emotional. The Last Repair Shop is on YouTube for American and Canadian viewers, and it's simply wonderful. Perhaps the happiest I was all night long! And then came Mstyslav Chernov's speech after winning for 20 Days in Mariupol. Chernov had, arguably, the speech of the night. And I agree with him. I, too, wish he never had to make his film and that he never won this Oscar. But he did his job to document what happened in Mariupol. And for that he (and the Ukrainians suffering and dying in their war versus Russia) deserves our plaudits and support.

Once more, Hayao Miyazaki cannot be bothered to show up to an awards ceremony. It's hilarious! I would have voted Robot Dreams, but The Boy and the Heron is not a winner to sniff at. Spider-Verse will have one more shot.... whenever the third movie comes out?

Good lord, they selected the worst possible winner in Animated Short with War Is Over!. There's an unwritten rule that the Academy, among the fifteen nominated shorts, must select one which will piss me the hell off. And for the second straight year in Animated Short, they have done exactly that, choosing something akin to a soft drink commercial.

Billie Eilish and Finneas are now the youngest and second-youngest ever to win two Oscars, after Luise Rainer (Best Actress for 1936's The Great Ziegfeld and 1937's The Good Earth). That feels very, very weird. In both cases of this record.

The "I'm Just Ken" performance? Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Like Ken)??? Busby Berkeley choreography? What do the kids say? Inject that straight into my veins? It was wonderful.

And speaking of nods to cinema history, I'm so glad they led off the stunt performers tribute with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. :,)

And congratulations to Godzilla Minus One and its Best Visual Effects win! After seventy years, Godzilla is now an Oscar-winning franchise, and its win percentage is 100%! Simply wonderful!

I think the moral of the story is that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has been gradually internationalizing over the last decade. And the results of that were very clear tonight. Does that mean I'm too provincial in my tastes? I don't know. But wins such as Emma Stone's, Anatomy of a Fall, The Boy and the Heron, and Godzilla are demonstrative of that.

I'm glad this season is over. I certainly hope that Killers of the Flower Moon will be looked upon more kindly by history and time, without the bells and whistles of awards campaigning and a fuller understanding of why it was made the way it was.

This month has been fun! But now it's time to see movies again without the lens of awards for a long, long while.

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farity · 11 months

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Inspiration

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x reader

Summary: Aemond finds out who is the inspiration for a scandalous statue

Warning: All fluff - I just wanted a happy little drablet.

It was declined, of course, the moment Alicent caught sight of it.

“It is simply a representation of the human form, Your Grace, surely the maiden sees no sin in what the Seven have created.”

“That my be, but it will not have a home in the keep. You might have better luck with the Lannisters, or perhaps the Tyrells.”

Aemond watched from the balcony above as the heavy statue was wheeled out past his mother’s critical stare.

“What I wouldn’t give to get my hands on that.”

He turned to see Aegon, already raising a cup to his lips. “A woman like that might even tempt you, little brother.”

“A woman like that does not exist, Aegon. It is an ideal put together by an artist.”

“Oh, she does exist.”

Both brothers turned at the sound of Helaena’s voice.

“Lord Penrose owed a great debt to the artist and paid it off by having his daughter pose for him. I guess he made a few copies.”

Aegon choked on his wine. “That’s Elyana Penrose? The little shit who pushed me into the mud that one time?”

Helaena smiled. “I liked her a lot.” She looked back down at her needlework, then remembered. “Oh yes, she’ll be here for the festival tomorrow.”

* * * * *

Aemond remembered Elyana Penrose. And he remembered why she’d pushed Aegon into the mud. Aegon was mocking Aemond, as he always did, and Aemond was pretending to ignore him, as he always did, but Elyana grew tired of the taunts about Aemond not having a dragon and she’d turned and shoved Aegon so hard, he’d lost his footing and fallen into a big mud pit.

The gates to the keep opened and he watched as the crowd went silent, watching as Lord Penrose and his party rode in. Everyone was staring at Elyana, who stared straight ahead, that same strange bronze colored hair he remembered braided into submission. Aemond could see the men’s stares, the women pointing.

“Once everyone has seen you naked, there is no dignity left.”

He turned at his mother’s words.

“Poor girl. She’s as good as a whore, really. Every detail exposed in that awful statue.”

“It wasn’t her choice, mother.”

“Does that matter, Aemond?” Alicent looked around. “Does it matter to them? Why is she wearing that heavy cape wrapped around her like a tarp, then?”

Alicent left, but Aemond kept his eye on Elyana Penrose, realizing too late that he, too, was one of the people she was so determined to ignore.

* * * * *

You did not attend dinner. You weren’t planning on attending breakfast, either, or any of the meals taken alongside the Targaryens. In fact, the less people you had to see, the better.

“Lady Elyana.”

You turned at the voice to find Aemond Targaryen standing a few feet away. He stood straight, hands behind his back, and nodded at you.

“Prince Aemond,” you wondered if he, too, was curious to see if the real thing matched the statue.

“I noticed you did not join us for dinner last night. I hope you are not ill.”

His eye stayed on your face, unlike most other people you had met recently, and your expression softened slightly. You remembered how quiet he had been as a child, how relentless the teasing from his brother and cousins. “You are very kind, Your Highness, I find I prefer my own company these days.”

“In that case, I shall leave you to your peace, my lady.”

“Oh no,” you stood, “I did not mean you had to leave, Your Highness.”

“Aemond.”

You swallowed. “Surely you know, Aemond, why everyone looks at me lately.”

He took one step forward, lips curving in a small smile. “You are very beautiful, Lady Elyana.”

You gave him a cursory smile. “My prince,” you said quietly, “you know that is not why people stare. You must know about the statues.”

He nodded. “I do. I am sorry for it.”

Something in his tone broke through the walls you carefully kept up around you, and much to your horror, you began crying. First one tear, then another, until they were falling freely down your cheeks and you covered your face.

You felt the warmth of him as he gently wrapped his arms around you, stroking your back. He said nothing, simply held you while you cried.

“I am sorry, Prince Aemond,” you began, but he shook his head.

“There is nothing for you to be sorry about, my lady.”

It felt good, to be held. To be comforted. Your father saw you as something he could use, clearly, and now that you had solved his financial problem, you were to be married off for further gains.

“I am so filled with shame,” you whispered. “Everyone knows. Everyone has seen.”

His arms tightened around you and you wrapped your own arms around his waist. He began stroking your hair, tucking your head beneath his.

“I am so sorry,” you repeated, “you must think me ridiculous.” You looked up.

His eye stayed on yours but you were intensely aware of how close your mouth was to his. The smallest movement and your lips would meet. You looked down and began wiping your eyes. Aemond pulled out a small square of fabric from his pocket and handed it to you.

“You are absolutely not ridiculous,” he said, taking a step back to give you space to gather yourself. “You have paid for others’ sins. That is something I am familiar with.”

You finished dabbing at your eyes and looked up at him. “After the festival we are going to Pyke, I am being wed to Lord Greyjoy.”

Aemond stared. “Lord Greyjoy who just lost his third wife?”

* * * * *

He couldn’t sleep. He was well aware of how the world worked, children were to be married for the betterment of the family, that was how things were done and for the most part he’d never really given it much thought.

The thought of Elyana Penrose marrying that old barnacle-ridden goat filled him with disgust. The realization that he could do nothing about it made him angry, and it was anger that kept him awake.

And if he was honest with himself, he liked her. He had liked her as a child and he liked her now. She was beautiful, of course, but she was as gentle and sweet as he remembered despite the notoriety that now surrounded her.

He knew something about having people talk behind your back. He knew something about being seen as something other than he was.

Maybe he was wrong. Maybe there was something he could do about it.

* * * * *

You’d spent the previous night thinking about Aemond. It had felt so good to be in his arms. You had always liked him, finding him more sensible and clever than Aegon, braver than his cousins. And now, he was so handsome, the scar and eye patch only adding to how striking he was.

“Lady Elyana.”

You jumped in your chair and turned around. Aemond stood there, one hand out and eye wide. “I apologize, I did not mean to startle you, my lady.”

Your hand pressed to your throat, you smiled, catching your breath. “No need to apologize, Prince Aemond. I was lost in my own thoughts.”

“I wanted to speak to you, if you can grant me a few moments.”

You tucked a lock of hair behind your ear, wondering what on earth the prince wanted to discuss with you. “Of course, I would be delighted.”

“I feel there is an affinity between us,” he began, taking a seat facing you, “as children we got along well, and I dare say I always thought someday I would find someone like you to be my wife.”

Your heart started beating fast and immediately you tried to tamp down your response. Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed, you told yourself.

“When I saw you again, and I spoke with you, it led me to think that I do not want someone like you to be my wife.”

And this was why. There should be no disappointment at his words. Why would he want someone like you, someone whose name was forever tarnished? You straightened your back, determined to retain as much dignity as you could.

Aemond extended his hand to you. “I want you to be my wife.”

You stared at him. “I am, you- what?”

“I know I am not what most ladies dream of for a husband, I am disfigured and-”

You stood. “Do not say that.”

He placed his hand back on his knee and looked up at you.

“I will not tolerate any such talk, Prince Aemond. Not even from you. Dear, dear you.” You walked up to him, took his hand between yours. “He would not let me write to you, after your injury,” you confessed. “I wanted to, I really did.”

“I believe you.”

“And whatever ladies dream of, I do not know. I find I have no taste for such frivolities.”

Aemond squeezed your hand. “Then stay with me. Marry me. Make the realm better with me. No longer your father’s pawn, he will not refuse this alliance, make a life here. With me.”

You smiled at him, leaned down to place a kiss on his cheek. “I will. Maybe I will find a mud pit somewhere.”

He laughed and cupped your face so he could kiss your lips and you sighed. A life here. A life filled with joy and laughter.

“I will have one built for you if you wish.”

* * * * *

Tagging

@arryn-nyx @ girlwith-thepearlearring @greenowlfactif @hydrationqueensworld @megzdoodle @melsunshine @queenofshinigamis @throughgoeshamilton @travelingmypassion @watercolorskyy

Aemond fics only

@hb8301 @kaemond-zafiro @arcielee @castellomargot @m-indkiller @urmomsgirlfriend1

#aemond targaryen #aemond fluff #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen x you #aemond x you #aemond

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piratekane · 1 year

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Dude I forgot there was a power rangers reboot in 2017 until you started reblogging them. What did you like about it? Genuinely asking. Considering watching it. Maybe the camp will be all worth it

It's so worth it. Those kids are so good. They must be protected at all costs. It was such a fun movie and honestly, it deserved a trilogy at least. Plus, the representation is out of this world. Black autistic ranger who is the heart of the team? Check. Lesbian ranger who finds a family in these strangers? Check. Mean girl carries the weight of her actions and tries to do better? Check. Asian hero who loves his mom so freaking much? One white guy? Check.

It had everything: found family, queer subtext, the only confirmation of a het relationship as a cut scene, more bitch slaps than expected, the most haunting version of Stand By Me by Bootstraps, and a really gross scene where Elizabeth Banks eats gold.

Unfortunately, the world wasn't ready for real superheros. Or for the promise of a (supposedly? I think I read this somewhere) genderbent Tommy Oliver. Because imagine what could happen if that power was harnessed, if we got Tommy and the gang and Lord Zedd??? We obviously couldn't handle that. We weren't ready. One day, we might be. Until then, I will just continue to watch it and hope those kids are out there saving the world from Putty Patrolers and their evil overlord Rita Repulsa.

#power rangers 2017

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hsvh-hp · 2 months

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You know I agree with you that fanon paints Lucius as a much worse father than he was and I don't like that either, but do you not think indoctrinating your child into a genocidal cult + coldly demanding that he be the best in class and publicly humiliating him about that ("if [my son's] grades don't pick up, a thief or a plunderer] may indeed be all he is fit for") is bad parenting?

Like I'm not saying "he is a bad parent" or "he is a good parent", I'm very hesitant to label parents (real or fictional) in such a one-dimensional way because parent-child relationships are so incredibly complicated. But at the same time it is very important to me to acknowledge even little things parents can do that can really have a negative impact on children. And indeed in Draco's case they do, leading him to want to be a Death Eater, to seek validation from Voldemort (when he disarms Dumbledore he talks about wanting to be the Dark Lord's favourite, he doesn't want help from Snape because he has a need to prove himself etc) and contributing to his general insecurity and need to be better than everyone & getting upset when he's not, because if he's not the best all the time then he feels really bad.

One big reason I dislike the fanon tendency to make every morally questionable parent an extremely physically abusive monster is precisely because that erases the representation of how the smaller, psychologically/emotionally damaging things they do can still be traumatising.

It goes without saying that there’s nuance. I would never say nor claim that Lucius did nothing wrong or didn’t make mistakes. By mere virtue of holding bigoted beliefs, he signaled to Draco that there were things he could do or be that might undermine his father’s love. To me, it doesn’t even matter if Lucius is otherwise perfect as a father. That small thing, in a kid as needy for love and validation as Draco is, would be enough to have him always on edge and anxiously performing his role as the perfect son to the best of his ability.

My earlier frustration was a pushback against the need to inflate Lucius’ less-great moments into overtly obvious abuse (we are very much in agreement there), as fanon seems to love to do without a hint of introspection or greater analysis. I’m so bored of complicated behaviour being filed away into a thought-terminating box called ‘abuse’, where a sole instance of someone being a grumpy, imperfect dad (the Borgin & Burke’s scene) is all that’s required to put a character on the same level as men who actually do beat their sons. It’s not given a greater thought.

For instance, you bring up Draco’s indoctrination into the Death Eaters, and his eagerness to join. This is a very interesting conundrum for Lucius to me because Voldemort is back for an entire year before Draco signs up. Lucius is in Azkaban at the time, unable to exert any influence over Draco’s decision, and Voldemort explicitly brings Draco into the fold as a form of punishment for Lucius. We have no access to Lucius’ head as readers, but he had an entire year afterward to sit and think about how he failed Draco. He’s a smart guy. I’m sure he could put it together that his bigotry came very close to costing his son his life. Considering the Malfoys sit alongside the winners of the war in the Great Hall, it speaks to me of some greater narrative reflection on Lucius’ part to have earned himself a place there.

The point is, I’ve never seen that Lucius in fic before. I crave that Lucius, who can realize his mistakes and grow or change as a result (and is brave enough not to let the lateness of its arrival dictate the terms). It’s very important to me that growth not be something exclusive to a certain age (16 and under? 18? I’ve seen people argue that Draco was no longer redeemable at 12 LMAO). So yeah, feeling alone in this sentiment occasionally bubbles up and I forget to articulate all the nuance of the subject when engaging with it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#meta #draco malfoy #lucius malfoy

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ahoppingmagician · 9 months

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Yo another Helluva Boss Rant, Part Five thousand.

People are really out here saying we can't watch Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel as if they are some holy artefact. This may sound harsh but fuck off with that bullshit. Any show, movie, comic, and artist can be criticised for anything, yes some criticism is unhelpful I'll give you that, but at the end of the day, people can give their opinion on anything. Also, hate watching is a thing, a great example would be watching a bad movie because you love how horrible it is for example The Room, The Twilight movies, The 50 Shades of Grey Movies, or Any Disney Live Action Remake. All of these are absolute trash heaps but most people watch them over and over again because it's something to laugh at for a good while.

Vivzipop is a horrible person.

I might be harassed for a while but it needs to be said Viv is a horrible employer and person. She pays her animation staff dirt for all the hours they slave away on her intricate character designs, the fast paced action scenes, the more "heartfelt" scenes only to get low pay. Also her stopping her employees from finding better work like Lackadaisy, as we seen with the discord chat where an animator was explained to that Viv called them words like manic, insane, crazy just so they could find no other opportunities forcing them to stay with her. That isn't how you treat anyone, and if you think differently then I'm sorry to break it to you you're a bad person.

Of course the ableism, look as someone who has been called the R word multiple times in my life, I'm not offended by it being used in an adult show but only if you make it clear that it is a harmful word, unlike Viv who constantly teases the word as if it's funny to say, but like the coward she is never says it. JUST SAY IT AND BE DONE WITH IT. Yes I'll bust your balls about it but atleast it proves to me that you have some gumption.

I'm not a POC I'm far from it but I feel like this show can give people the wrong idea about women of colour. For Example, Millie is a bloodthirsty and adoring wife, but that's it she doesn't appear unless her husband is around or even does anything without Moxxie's approval. Also, it paints her as aggressive which is a common stereotype of black women. Verosika is a bitter ex of Blitzo and nothing more, wait I forgot a woman who enjoys sex. Now there is nothing wrong with sex or sex workers but again at this time that is all she is in the show and of course a discussion can be held about the objectification of POC in a sexual manner. Also Barbie....who is a fucking groomer and addict. These are three Canon Women of Colour and that's what we got, in my opinion not a good enough representation, because all these female characters are one note and objectively horrible people, also all are painted as angry and all of them have had at least two comments about their sex lives.

If these don't prove that Vivien M is not atleast a a ignorant person or at worst a awful human being then I can't explain to you anything, because your just choosing to be blind to reality.

As always you look great today/ tonight. l, have a wonderful day/night, and praise the frog lord.

#helluva boss criticism #helluva boss #anti helluva boss #anti vivziepop #vivziepop #anti hazbin hotel

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biblioklept-writes · 1 year

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The Foreign Queen (Aemond Targaryen x Desi!Fem!Reader)

Summary: There is a new ship in the land, carrying riches Westeros has never seen before. The people are interesting, sharing some common and other completely different ideas. Aemond decides to deal with one claiming to be their Princess, the beautiful Y/N, and something clicks in place.

Content Warning: canon divergence (duh), i have only watched the show, might contain some spoilers, reader has black hair and brown eyes (typical of most desis) and wear kajal (kohl), reader will be good at maths and physics (i had too i need the representation), reader is hindu and will talk of hinduism, there will be “strong” jokes, I invented a whole new continent in the hotd universe, okay? Explicit language to be expected, other than that we are good i guess? No other physical description of the reader is involved

Ps: will use hindi, sanskrit and odia (translations in parentheses). Currently this is just an idea, i will write further if the motivation and plot strikes.

Series Masterlist

It had been a rather dull autumn afternoon, the only highlight yet being the morning flight Aemond had gotten with Vhagar. Business in the council was proceeding as usual, with Aegon missing and their grandsire, Otto Hightower acting as the King Reagent in his stead while their mother, Dowager Queen Alicent Targaryen sat at the head. The lords had been discussing an upcoming tourney when a messenger came in with a flushed face, looking as though he ran from port to the Red Keep. He barely caught his breath before he started speaking.

“There is a large ship being docked in the port, Your Grace, My Lord Hand,” He breathlessly said. “Their messengers speak mostly in a foreign tongue, but they claim to be here for trade. They say their princess is with them, those strange people. They are asking for permission to enter King’s Landing.”

“Where are these people from?” Otto Hightower asked. “Did they say?”

“They said… Bharat.” The messenger added, still struggling to catch his breath. “Your Grace, My Lord Hand, you must send your word with me back, the matter requires your urgent attention. They wish to speak with His Majesty in his court.”

“I don’t think a message would be apt for this situation,” Alicent calmly said. “It is better if we send a representative of ours with you, Ser.” Her big brown eyes scanned the room once, and said, “Ser Cole, I would like you to go to the docks as Aegon’s representative, make sure that these people are not of ill intentions.”

“It would be better to send a royal to accompany Ser Cole, Your Grace.” Ser Willis Fell said, earning agreeing nods from the other lords in the council. “For if this Princess' claim is true, it wouldn't be… appropriate for a Knight to meet a lady of such stature. If My Lord Hand could go-”

“I will accompany Ser Cole,” Aemond said. He agreed, if it were indeed a princess of a foreign land, sending a non-royal to speak with her would reflect poorly on them. A foreign land meant more resources and soldiers, and they needed both of them in abundance as the war threatened to bloom in Westeros and Essos. A strong alliance for them meant a weakness for their opponent.

“Aemond-” Alicent started, but he interrupted her.

“I’ll be fine, Mother.” He said. “I really wish to see these strange people claiming to be traders.” Aemond’s gaze fixed on the messenger, who seemed to cower under his calculating stare. Of course, the eyepatch must have been a contributing factor with the reputation that he had built for himself.

Vhagar was simply too big to fly to the dock, so Aemond had to take a horse along with Ser Cole, unfortunately. It took them a bit over an hour but they managed to make it to the dock before sunset, and there he saw it: a ship in the horizon, larger than anything he had ever seen before, gleaming like liquid gold in the late afternoon sun. A red and white striped flag with a yellow swastik flew high in the oceanic winds.

Two men adorning mustard colored tunics and some white pants with black hair, white turbans and twining moustaches signalled at the ship upon his arrival, and a small boat moved toward the coastline. They were still too far away to make out clearly, but once the boat got closer, he noticed the woman sitting in the front, majestic on the waves. The man and the woman behind her rowed her quickly to the shore.

He thought her claim must be true then, for she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on with her hair blacker than midnight and her brown eyes stern yet deep. Her presence commanded attention, and she carried herself with the poise of a queen.

She was dressed in a lavender and white garment he had never seen before, her dark mane complimenting her brown, kohl-lined eyes. Her body held a certain feline grace - her steps quiet and calculated, her gaze confident and conniving.

Aemond got off his horse as she stepped off the dock and towards the port, the messenger escorting her to him and Ser Criston, who stood behind him with his hand ready to raise his sword. “This is Princess Y/N of the Bharat,” the messenger said, unable to take his eyes off you. Everyone present on the dock stared eagerly, trying to soak up the gossip.

“And I assume you must be Prince Aemond,” She said, her voice firm but sweet. Her pronunciation held an accent, but it was fairly accurate. He was more surprised to find that she actually knew him by name and recognised him this quickly. “I hear you have a reputation for brutality,”

“Only to the people that pester my family and my brother’s kingdom.” He replied in his usual monotone voice. “I hope you aren’t here to threaten my brother’s kingdom, for I’d hate to put a blade through you.”

“Bharat reaches to you in good hopes, Prince,” She said. “We are merely here to offer trade: we have skilled workers manufacturing weapons, chariots, even defences of all sorts. We have great food and spices. You ought to give us a chance to present our goods before disregarding us.”

“Would these weapons fight against dragons, Princess?” Aemond asked.

“There’s only one way to find that out,” she said. “I hope to be able to get an audience with the King, we will do as he sees fit - we shall leave in peace if he demands that, my Prince.”

“Mhm,” Aemond glanced over at her and her people once more. They all had a curved knife strapped to their hips, and the princess carried a two-foot long blade in a bejewelled holster, the hilt seemingly made of gold with a leather grip. He noted the big gold hoops that gleamed in her ears and the three large rings that occupied her right hands’ fingers. “Only you and one more person will be granted permission to meet the King,” He carefully said. “And… you must leave your weapons behind.”

“Going into a foriegn land with no people and no weapons seems like a fools’ errand, my Prince,” She countered. “Are your swordsmen and fighters so incapable that you are afraid of being attacked in your own palace by two foreigners?”

Aemond slowly blinked, a devious grin forming at her words. “Very well then,” he said, voice decisive. “You and your companion must be accompanied by a knight or me at all times, for we have no intent of trusting someone… unfamiliar with our home. Times like these demand such action,”

“I hope we wouldn’t bore you with our dull company,” She said, brown eyes glinting with amusement, and something dark, something he pictured in his own gaze.

“I can tell that your company will be anything but dull, Princess.” He said. “Ser Criston, please get two mighty steeds for our companions from Bharat.”

Presently, they stand in the King’s Court, the drunkard King sober for a change. Aemond supposed the foreign Princess’ commanding presence was a contributing factor to his brother’s sobriety, but he knew it was her enticing allure, her charming voice and her regal poise that appealed to him. The princess reminded him of wildflowers - magnificent, all consuming in their scent and most of the time, deadly.

His keen eye had not missed the way the knights of the Kingsguard and the lords at the court had eyed the bejewelled sheath of her blade up and down, as if trying to see through the sheath and capture the blade.

“You talk of trade, yet you carry weapons deadly enough to cut a man,” Aegon noted, gaze eagerly fixed on the woman in front of him. The whole court was silent save for his words, all eyes and ears focused on the stunning princess. “What sort of trade requires that, pray tell me,”

“Your Majesty, the blades are to defend the supplies,” She said, voice neutral. “And to hunt animals for meat. The blades only cut through those who threaten our peace, honour and survival.”

Aegon scratched his chin, leaning forward. “What did you say your trade in?”

“Spices, fabrics, weapons, gold, skilled labourers,” She said, seemingly holding everyone’s gaze at once. “Silver, bronze, blacksmiths who can build chariots, soldiers who would kill for your cause.”

The silence that followed was ringing, one could hear everyone’s breath.

“Why do you need this trade?” Otto Hightower asked.

“My Lord Hand,” Princess Y/N started with a respectful bow. “Why do merchants sell? Why does a servant work? All of the work that we do comes down to one thing - money and power. We have skilled labourers, we have gold, we have silver, we have copper. But even gold becomes worthless when it is in excess, and the flow of trade would make both of us more powerful.”

“What would we get in exchange for our money?” Dowager Queen Alicent asked. Aemond knew from the gleam in her big brown eyes that she was curious, at least, about the goods the princess promised.

“Allow me to present to you a small gift, Your Grace,” The Princess bowed again. From the bags, her moustached companion fetched the finest of the silk Aemond had ever seen - his fingers involuntarily twitched at the sight of the sage-green fabric. A servant brought the fabric from the foreign man to his mother, who was visibly impressed by the silk. “It is the finest silk in the known land, Your Grace,”

Another sample was a thick gold chain with a tiny hourglass pendant, given to his Grandsire Otto Hightower. “My Lord Hand, this hour glass turns over itself in a period of five and forty minutes,” She said. “It is made of the most intricate designs and is sturdy enough to be worn daily.”

“For His Majesty,” The Princess said as her companion fetched a foot long box wrapped in a silver-grey cloth. “We present the blade forged by our best swordsmiths, we present a gauntlet sword - Dandpatta - made in silver reinforced with the best steel we make.”

Aegon eagerly opened his present, the silver blade almost blinding in its shine. He stood up and tested the blade, and commented, “It has great balance, Princess.”

“I am glad to impress Your Majesty,” She said. Her companion fetched another box wrapped in silver-grey cloth, this time the servant handing the box to Aemond. He opened the box, normally, as the Princess’ sweet voice said, “For those who prefer sleath over pomp, for the one known to be quiet, I present to you, Ratri, the blade of the night. It is made of the highest quality of wootz steel, and can cut silently even through the toughest of barks and scales.”

It was a wicked blade, curved slightly like a scythe, but much smaller and easily concealable. When did the princess get to study each of them? Has someone been ratting them out to people they didn’t even know existed? For such precision in giving gifts was impossible without proper prior knowledge of the receiver.

The Princess turned to Haelena and curtseyed for the first time. “For Her Majesty, I present a jewellery set fit for a Queen of her stature, it is all in steel reinforced gold - can be used as a weapon lest someone corner the beautiful Queen.”

“Quite thoughtful of you, presenting these gifts,” Aegon said, clearly impressed by the sword he received. “I will let you trade with us, Princess.”

Perhaps you had impressed his brother with the presents you had so thoughtfully brought, but you had imprinted yourself in his head with all the inside information you must have known to think of such gifts. Either that or you and your companions were quick judges of character, but that seemed a bit of a stretch. Your face was one he could never forget, with the intense kohl and the gleaming brown eyes and hair darker than the night, you were a sight meant to be remembered.

The only logical explanation seemed that you had spies in the Red Keep, getting updates about everyone from that source. He had to find that source, pull it off the roots, for you knew the royal family a little too well.

The court was dismissed and you were sent back to let your ship dock at the port and your people had been granted an empty warehouse to store the goods along with a clear plot of land to build the temporary housing facilities your people would need.

Alicent had generously offered you to stay in the castle walls, but you had politely declined, saying that your heart and duty lies with your people and travelling companions. Aemond respected that, his respect for you growing tenfold on learning that you spoke in four tongues and were learning a fifth. But he had so much to learn from you, and from your manners in court today, he knew it would be a big challenge for him - you had earned his respect, but he had to know how you spied on his family without them being aware of you and your peoples’ existence.

How was it that the mighty Targaryens with their dragons had never explored the unknown? How was it that a fleet of ships managed to survive the unresting sea from lands so far away that the dragonriders didn’t spot it? It was this primal hunger for answers that urged him to get closer to you, to dig out the answers he needed to sate his curiosity. Why were you promising them your soldiers? Were you one of his half-sister’s ploys to usurp the throne that was rightfully Aegon’s? Were you sent on a mission, falsely pretending to be a princess sent by Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen to wipe his family clean and leave the Iron Throne vulnerable and up for them to do as they please?

There were so many questions, but no answers in sight. Aemond doubted you were from Driftmark - you and your people were too different, with skin that glowed like gold under the sunlight and new languages he hadn’t even heard of before. Self-appointing himself as your contact person to the King’s council, he frequented your camp, not seeing any ill intent - at least for now.

But he didn’t know what to make of the Bharatiyas either. The people were welcoming and nice enough, even treated him to delicacies he never could have imagined. There were some names he was struggling to speak, but Aemond was nothing if not determined. With the eyes of a hawk and the hearing of a wolf, the dragon carefully observed the foreigners and slowly picked on your languages.

One of them - Hindi - was simpler than the other tongues that people used. It seemed there were as many dialects as there were people, and Aemond found himself terribly lost as he tried to keep up with them. But he had vowed to himself that he would learn to understand your languages, at least. Yet, he was drawn in by the complexities and fun of their culture, how they worshipped their Gods and Goddesses; how each member of the camp contributed to the working; how the few kids there were allowed to be exposed to the Westeros languages and culture (lack thereof, he thought later).

Aemond had never expected to enjoy someone else’s customs this much. He had appointed himself on a mission, and he wouldn’t let himself be distracted. He swore that he will abstain from gazing at your intense eyes and glowing skin, from the confidence you exude and the power you command.

But each second he spent in your presence, he found himself more enraptured by you - your kohl lined eyes, your pretty mouth, your heavy gold jewellery and the delight with which you spoke. He would be damned to the seven hells and beyond with all the teasing he would get if Aegon or Daeron ever read his mind, full of thought with admiration for you.

Here it is! for all the desi!readers out there like me, I hope you enjoy this. This part mainly describes their entrance and welcome, and I will try to include more political intrigue as I write further. Do drop by some scene ideas that i can include so all the desis feel represented. It is currently 2 am for me but today is Halloween and my birthday so I am posting this as a treat for myself (yes this is another treat for me hehe) Lets hope that i can get around to finish this one. Also, if you are a team black stan who would rather stay off some anti-sort remarks, i am sorry loves but this one is not for you. Better if you scroll past than start an argument.

#aemond targaryen x reader #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen #desi!reader #hotdxdesi!reader #team green fic #hotd x reader #aemond x desi!reader #alicent hightower #sri writes #aegon targaryen #happy birthday to me ig

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ckret2 · 11 months

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Who wants some Really Really Bad Ace/Aro Representation?

So—I have a longtime fondness for corny villains from kids' shows. The kind that are usually purple, black, and red, oftentimes look like ghosts, skeletons, or robots, and—depending on the complexity of the show they're from—usually have motives ranging from "conquer the world/universe" to "destroy friendship and rainbows." Guys that look like this:

I love guys like that.

But once you age out of media for 7-year-olds and start hitting teenage media, when writers give their over-the-top wicked villains motives, they start saying things like "incapable of feeling love." From time to time crime fiction describes some twisted murderer as "asexual" to justify their motives. Etc.

(The villains above mostly skip this treatment, being from kids' shows; but they're cut from the same cloth, the baby versions of more adult media's "loveless" villains.)

On the one hand: stop using ace & aro coding as a shorthand for villainy, yadda yadda listen I'm assuming I'm preaching to the choir here and we already agree.

On the other hand: like I said, I'm fond of these guys. It's the old "unfortunately, queer-coded villains are incredibly cool." Like, I know 100% that if No Heart was from any series but Care Bears he'd be trying to "destroy love" instead of "destroy caring". C'mon, his name is No Heart. But also, I would enthusiastically invite No Heart into the ace/aro fold, no hesitation, no questions asked. (Never mind that you could toss an ace flag on any of these guys without even noticing. Aro flag wouldn't look half bad either.)

So here's the point of this post:

A few years ago I got to write a short story for a zine on asexuality. I decided to write a satire/conflicted love letter for cheesy cartoony villains and the fact that, for the longest time, "too evil to comprehend good, kindness, and love" is the only approximation of the aro & ace experience a kid might see.

I wrote a showdown between a cruel, heartless villain who wants to destroy the world and all that's good in it—Lord Loveless—and a hero—the Arrow Ace—who's been searching for someone else like herself... and is furious that all she's found is him.

Since the end of the zine, I've been sitting on this story for a couple years, trying to decide what to do with it now; and I think releasing it during Pride Month is fitting. Consider it a one-week-late offering for Aromantic Visibility Day. I'll be posting it later on today, ideally, if I can get some art done quick—I really wanna draw Lord Loveless—but I wanted to make a post about why I wrote it first.

I hope when y'all read it, you'll see bits of yourself in both the villain and the hero, and bits of beloved villains past that should have done better.

#aromanticism #asexuality #about my writing

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divinecomedyproductions · 19 days

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Unpopular RWBY Opinions

Some of these things are incorporated into my reimagined RWBY AU(not all of them) and my original stories

1. Arkos, BlackSun, Iceberg, and Renora should have survived and get a happy ending, I don’t give a damn about Pyrrha’s name or allusion.

2. RWBY didn’t have to be a super dark epic, it’s become pretentious. Maybe more akin to Star Wars or Justice League Unlimited

3. Adam should have just been an initial antagonist who doesn't commit super horrible things, the psycho abusive ex was melodramatic and dumb. Wether he joins the good guys or ends tragically is up to anybody.

4. Maybe we were better off without the Salem/Ozma conflict and have WTCH as individual arc villains with their own minions

5. I think Roman, Cinder, and their gang should have been just morally grey found family characters like Boba Fett, some kind of gang of thieves akin to those in Baccano or something and just help or hinder the cast like Team Rocket or something but not as silly.

With Cinder and Roman becoming a couple and kinda like a "Gomez and Mortica" pair and Emerald and Merc hooking up, and Emerald and Neo would be like their daughters and Merc the son-in-law. I might recycle that idea for one of my original stories thats inspired by Skullgirls and Baccano who's protagonist sis something of an Anti-Cinder and an Anti-Torchwick with a ragtag gang fighting against a corrupt government run by a demonic-powered mafia.

6. Maybe RWBY could have been more like a Dragonball/Fairy Tail universe instead in terms of tone and narrative structure, and that wouldn’t have been a bad thing.

7. At the very least, Ozma and Salem could have been an explanation of the origin of the world and just something that would be rediscovered overtime and Ozpin and his circle are some keepers of ancient myth or something. Like The Jedi Order or The Time Lords or something idk.

8. Kinda feel Oscar wasn’t necessary, as much as I like him

9. Maybe the corrupt SDC and Bad Dad Jacques was also needless, maybe just one of the few good underdog companies in Atlas and Jack being initially a bit too hard on Weiss due to upholding the family’s honor and chivalry but means well and initial harsh nature involving his wife, a scientist who worked with Dr.Watts and Dr. Poldenia, being murdered at the hands of an anti-Faunus milita group and Watts having some role in it. Mostly because I'm just exhausted of the "Bad Dad" trope

10. Have Watts have a megacorporation and be the corrupt company in Atlas instead who’s responsible for their tech and uses unethical Faunus labor in his factories(even though in secret Watts just hates everybody) instead and have a bitter rivalry with Jacques and The SDC, especially due to Jack and Arthur’s personal history regarding Mrs.Schnee.

11. Hazel should have just been a Meta-Knight like character, a good guy but on nobody’s side with a grudge against Ozpin for understandable reasons, he has bear claw-like gauntlet weapons, and becomes a rival to Yang seeing his sister in her and is the “Papa Bear” to her “Goldilocks”

12. Bumbleby is a bad ship and it’s fandom are filled with bitter shrews who use it as representation despite how toxic it is.

13. Disagreeing with Monty’s vision isn’t inherently malicious.

14. I agree with @sytokun making Blake basically a Princess and have loving parents who are also influential was also dumb. Make her an Orphan with the WF/Team RWBY her found family instead. Or I would at least give her a “dead dad” with her Mom living in Menagerie but not as a “Chieftess” aka a QUEEN. They called themselves Cheiftan and Chieftess because it sounded cute.

#rwde #rwby #unpopular opinion #rwby au

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world-cinema-research · 14 days

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Dead Poets Society Blog Essay

By: Jillian Arnold

A quote from Mr. Keating, “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.”

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I first watched Dead Poets Society when I was sixteen years old for my sophomore year English class. My assignment was to find a monologue to memorize and record myself presenting it, as it was COVID during the time. As I was searching for speeches, I came upon one by Robin Williams and since he was in many movies from my childhood I thought, why not look into it? I chose that speech for the project and decided to watch the movie to get to know the speech better. I ended up loving the movie and it changed my life with its outlook on life and movement to seize the day. Unknowingly, I was the same age as the boys I connected with and would continue to grow with them as they remained the same age.

Dead Poets Society was released into theatre on June 2nd, 1989, and was both a critical and commercial success. The movie earned $95,860,116 domestically and $235,860,116 worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year when it only had a $16,000,000 budget.

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During the release of this movie in 1989, George H. W. Bush was sworn in to become the 41st President of the United States.

I was not the only person affected by Robin Williams’s powerful speech in this movie. It was well-received by audiences, scoring 92% on rotten tomatoes. This movie appealed to the audience with its message of carpe diem or to “seize the day.” According to Dead Poets Society: A Summary by Faith Lord, “The story portrays a teacher named Mr. Keating who has come to an all-boys school that is steeped in tradition with boys who are expected to follow the rigid and unyielding expectations of their parents regarding their education. Keating's unconventional methods use poetry to help the boys regard their identity and desire with his lessons from literature and poetry.” This intended message reached out to the people who are stuck in a cycle doing meaningless things to them and to be an independent man who seizes the day and don’t let their life fly by them. The producers relied on reaching their audiences to have them connect with the film. They didn’t need big action scenes or a love story to touch people’s hearts. Another appeal to the audience was the famous actor Robin Williams, who starred as Mr. Keating in the film. As a beloved actor at the time, his improv and humor brought people happiness and made them laugh at previous films, making people want to see his role in this film.

The film does have some problematic elements for viewers that stirred some controversy when the film was released. The first is its outlook on suicide. Near the film's end, the character Neil Perry is forced to withdraw from his beloved school to military school and has to quit theatre, which was his newfound love. His last act was putting on his thorned crown from A Midsummer Night’s Dream before shooting himself. This suicide could’ve been seen as his last rebellion and could be praised biblically, but that may not be the case for all viewers. This glorification of suicide can cause more harm than good since suicide is the second leading cause of death for people. Another problematic topic could be the film’s issue with queer baiting. Although this may have not been an issue when the movie was released to today’s viewers, it may be a more current issue. There is a heavily alluded LGBTQ relationship between Neil and Todd in the film but there is no confirmation. This baiting takes away from the representation of a minority and can take a toll on the viewers in the community since they don’t see themselves reflected in films very often.

This movie is an unconventional movie with its deeper meanings and its non-blockbuster-type plot. The plot of this story isn’t conventional and doesn’t have an outlined story, rather it follows the ups and downs of boyhood and their struggle to break free from the status quo.

I chose this movie to write about for the first assignment of the class because it was a movie that stuck out to me growing up and I knew I would be passionate to write about it for this assignment.

When I first watched this movie, I didn’t see its problematic themes, I just loved the poetry and the outlook on life. After watching it this week and doing research on it, I understood its themes and why there were problematic topics. I never knew when I first watched it that it was such a huge film and is famous, but now that I’ve rewatched it I know that it is. Overall though, I still really enjoy this movie and it’s a go-to watch every time. I love the characters and see myself in them and can find solace in them. I have taken the movie’s main message, “seize the day,” and it has allowed me to find the things I love right now. If I hadn’t taken that step and seized my day, I wouldn’t have joined my love of theatre nor taken the time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Finally, a quote from the movie, “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

#Youtube

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markantonys · 15 days

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I'm at the end of TFOH and something else I noticed. The nobles do fear Rand cause of his anger and him making them less powerful cause he makes it so the laws apply to them now but it's a plot point that Rand consistently has to remind them that he can channel and that he will go mad. Cause they're actively trying to ignore that. It isn't until the docks when two Tairen lords see him channeling against Lanfear that they start to fear him cause he can channel. Knowing it is one thing, seeing it is something else. So like people complaining about the show not addressing this yet... it's not relevant til the end of book 5!

another very interesting observation!! i remember a scene in cairhien in TFOH when a noblewoman is trying to hit on him for personal gain and he (intentionally) freaks her out by reminding her that he can channel, and we saw something similar with berelain in TSR too, where she was all hellbent on seducing him but then got freaked out by the the whole bubble of evil incident and switched her sights to perrin instead. it definitely makes sense for people to view him almost as more of a regular warlord until they actually see concrete evidence of his channeling abilities. like you say, watching him channel is different from just knowing that (he says) he can!

so there really is 0 need for the show to have shown people being scared of rand's channeling abilities in only the first 2 seasons. even so, they did show it with "selene's" reaction! obviously it was all an act, but it was still a good representation of how the average person would react to watching rand channel right in front of them and it gives the audience a good sense of what's to come once rand becomes a notable public figure and has to face an increasing number of reactions to his abilities. but he isn't there yet.

as far as i can remember, the only significant negative reaction from books 1-3 that's missing from the show is mat's, but i am far from displeased with the show softening mat's attitudes towards channelers, not least because of the romance coming his way. Channeler Hater who has many channeler besties falling in love with Channeler Enslaver who reinforces all his worst prejudices just feels very..........malicious, and putting mat on better footing with channelers to start with definitely eases some of that nastiness, not to mention sets up for a more interesting dynamic where he actually challenges tuon on her views rather than becoming her yes-man. like, a non-channeler main good guy having some anti-channeler prejudice issues could have been an interesting storyline, but i would have preferred it if it wasn't the same non-channeler main good guy who was going to have the romance with the head channeler enslaver villain lmao that's just not a great combination unless you're TRYING to tell a cynical depressing tale of radicalization into a hate group, which i do not think RJ was trying to do with mat.

(it's possible show!mat may still develop some kind of anxiety/animosity around the power, depending on if his medallion is still framed as him wanting protection from channelers. but even if that does happen, show!mat would still never start turning a blind eye to channeler enslavement! granted, early book!mat would never have done that either, even early early "rand channeling is like him eating babies" mat would never have done that.)

#twicetolivetwicetodie #answered #wot book spoilers

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saltpepperbeard · 6 months

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AAAAH so I’ve been inactive/lurking for years but I need to come out from the shadows for a second to THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR OFMD METAS. Especially your takes on Stede in 6/7!! I know a lot of people have said it, (bc it’s true and right) but you describe and explain things SO WELL IT BREAKES MY HEART. AGH. THANK YOU. I feel like this last episode especially was just the culmination of Stede putting all his core insecurities into a pressure cooker and leaving them there while he focuses on everything else. We all love to point out that this man just does NOT talk about any of his core issues while they are VERY MUCH still issuing! He still believes everything bad that has happened is all his fault!! He’s still thinking about that blood spattered little boy at his core!! (side note: a famous, deadly pirate getting killed via Stede throwing a violin at his head was NUTS. that concept is NUTS. I love this show.) Honestly I think at this point it’s just finally Stede’s turn to have a breakdown, and that’s where at least some of his behavior at the end of ep 7 is coming from. Most of our major characters this season have had one where they break hard, find support, and come out on the other side of it at least a little better. He has NOT. He hasn’t had a Stede centered heart to heart with anyone yet!! He’s grown so much in so many other ways, but like you’ve said!!! He just will not OPEN UPP. Because it’s scary!! What if you finally say the thing you know is fundamentally wrong with you, and the people you love finally see you for what you are?? Why would you do that when you can just try to fix it by shoving it down and making yourself into something else instead? And then what do you do when that all goes to hell anyways?? You act a fool and get your ass beat by a pirate queen is what 😭😭. It feels like we’ve all been side eying Stede not talking about his issues and the show just went, “Yep! For sure! Now look at what it’s done for him.” That compared to everyone else working through things and starting to move on?? Owie. Absolutely delicious- but also I think I’m different now. Like, as a person. And I trust this show to work it out!! I think Stede will get there eventually!! But like. Fuckin OWIE.

(This is an absolute WALL of text good god. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and being yourself <33 I’m going to cry into the floor and try to function like a normal person)

...

Well goodness, do I feel honored to be graced by your presence and YOUR lovely thoughts too! Because your so-called "wall of text" is SO beautiful and so thoughtful and so very ACCURATE AS WELL. AND IT SUBSEQUENTLY PUNCHED ME IN THE KIDNEY </3 SJDKLS.

Because Lord, you're right, how do we expect this man to function when he hasn't had his bathtub moment yet? And to think--he ALMOST could have. Ed was opening the door and giving him a place to talk and share vulnerabilities. Ed came in and started talking about his DAD, which as we know is a MAJOR piece of vulnerability for him. He really came in and set the stage for them to go in that direction...

Onllllyyy for adrenaline and desperation and perhaps a bit of fear to still prevail.

Like, it kills me. HE kills me. People give him the opportunity. People try and extend an olive branch. And yet still, he hides behind numerous walls. He helps other people before he helps himself. His bathtub was used for the benefit of others in episode 6 as opposed to his own. And I think that's a perfect representation of his character as a whole, really.

And man I knew, I KNEWWWW he was going to have so much to work on when the season opened up with that dream sequence. I think that dream sequence spoke on SO MUCH of what's going on in his head. It really cracked his psyche right on open. The beard, the ruthlessness, the deeper voice, the posturing, the way he doesn't "gain access" to Ed until after he's made a kill...

It was all just SCREAMING self-image issues and toxic masculinity issues and trauma to me. Not to mention how DRAMATIC of a contrast it was to Ed's. Ed loves his darling, sweet, fantastic goldfish for who he is. And it kills me that Stede can't see that yet.

But yes, I do believe we'll get there. I believe that's WHY all of this is being shown/set up. The show is very clearly telling us that Ed and Stede have issues to work through, and that their relationship is going to take mutual effort to become mature and grounded.

...But man, is the climb up to that A BIG OWCHIE INDEED LMAO.

#Answered #oh-dear-gracious #Stede Bonnet #OFMD #OFMD Season 2 #OFMD S2 Spoilers #Gentlebeard #Blackbonnet #just going to throw this into my-#Revenge Rambles #tag because META LOL #META EVERYWHERE #I also think I'm particularly passionate and also DEFENSIVE of him because this is striking personal chords l m a o #Like I've experienced similar instances of having to force myself to do things uncharacteristic of me simply to try and win respect/approva #And have ALSO prioritized others' wellbeing over my own #NOT TO GET TOO DEEP ON MAIN HERE HSDKLS BUT LIKE #STEDE JUST.......#STEDE JUST RESONATES WITH ME IN QUITE A FEW WAYS #SO #YOU KNOW HSKDJLSHDLKS #but again thank you so much for coming over and talking because YES #IT'S ALL JUST SO?????????#LIKE IT HURTS #A LOT LMAO #BUT MAN #DOES IT GET OUR TRAINS OF THOUGHT GOING HUH #CHOO CHOO

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